Frozen meals loom large when it comes to time-saving strategies, but they’re not the only dinner hacks in the freezer aisle. Let me introduce you to a category I call freezer heroes: shortcuts to flavorful, filling dinners that thaw quickly and can help you get a meal on the table in no time flat.
Most of these heroes won’t be new to you: you might even have a few in the back of your freezer right now, buried under ice cube trays. But have you considered their true potential? Here are nine of my favorite freezer heroes and how they can up your dinner game.
Garlic & Ginger Cubes
When you just want something quick, frozen cubes of crushed garlic and ginger can save you precious time and kick-start your cooking. Sizzle some garlic in a pan to amp up a jarred marinara sauce, or use both garlic and ginger in tandem to create a flavorful base for a quick stir-fry or rice pilaf.
Grains
You might have seen those frozen “power blends” next to the veggie medleys, but have you considered the bags of frozen plain rice or quinoa? These pre-cooked grains thaw quickly in the microwave and can serve as the base for any number of meals, from Indian butter chickpeas to a peanut chicken protein bowl.
Spinach
If you’re already planning to cook it down, frozen spinach is often easier to work with than fresh. It thaws in the microwave in minutes, and it melds easily with—and adds great nutrition to—everything from stuffed shells to skillet dinners. On a practical note, it’s also much easier to store than fresh spinach: it takes up less space and it doesn’t wilt in just a few days.
Chicken Nuggets
They’re not just for kids! A bag of frozen chicken nuggets quickly heated in the air fryer or oven can serve as the base protein for anything from buffalo chicken salad to a quick chicken parm slider. And if you wanted to just serve them with a squirt of ketchup? Fine by us.
Shrimp
If you’re looking for protein that’s quick to thaw and cook, shrimp wins every time. For quickest defrosting, place the shrimp in a colander and run under cold water, stirring the shrimp occasionally, until it’s completely thawed. In just 5-10 minutes, they’ll be ready to toss into a stir-fry or fold into pasta.
Tortellini, Ravioli, & Gnocchi
They might be sold fresh in the cold case, but there’s no reason you can’t shove those ready-made packs of tortellini, ravioli, and gnocchi in the freezer when you get home. At that point, they’re just waiting to become the base carb for a quick weeknight dinners. While you can, of course, serve any of them with a simple jarred sauce, you could also drop them in veggie soups, stir them into a taco bake, or toss them into salad.
Veggies
When the crisper drawer is bare, frozen veggies can bring color and nutrition to an otherwise beige dinner. Bags of stand-alone peas and corn are my go-tos, but consider buying mixed veggies or stir-fry medleys—whatever suits your particular preference. You can stir your veggies of choice into everything from soups to rice pilafs to creamy pastas. I’ve even been known to stir a handful of frozen peas into stovetop mac’n’ cheese.
Flatbreads & Tortillas
A neutral carb is the foundation for many great dishes, so frozen pita, naan, garlic bread, or tortillas means you’re already halfway to an amazing dinner. Some of these products may be sold frozen; others, like stuffed pasta, are sold fresh but can easily be popped in the freezer as soon as you get home. Pita or naan can bulk up a quick bean skillet, while garlic bread can become the base for a cheat "pizza." And tortillas are just waiting to be turned into everything from quesadillas to breakfast-for-dinner tacos.
Puff Pastry
Puff pastry might be commonly used for appetizers and fancy desserts, but that doesn’t mean it can’t help in the dinner department. Use it to top leftover creamed chicken for a quick chicken pot pie or as the base for a clean-out-the-refrigerator flatbread. Or stuff it with saucy leftovers of your choice to transform them into an “empanada.”
What are your must-have freezer favorites? Let us know in the comments below.
